It’s more important than ever for military students to educate themselves on the financial aid benefits available. There are a multitude of financial aid programs military personnel can take advantage of, from active duty to reserve to a veteran. These include, but are not limited to:

• Post 9/11 GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill
• Scholarship programs

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the newest of the financial aid programs available to the military. In many ways, it’s similar to the MGIB, but the differences are enough that students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the program. Once a student decides they’re going to apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, they may not revert back to the MGIB, so it’s important to get all your answers prior to application. At the same time, the VA has to go through thousands of Post 9/11 GI Bill applications, so the sooner you’re prepared to apply for it, the more likely you will receive it the semester that it’s needed!

Saint Leo University has long been one of the nation’s leading providers of higher education opportunities to military service members, and will reinforce that commitment with the new enrollments expected because of the new GI Bill. The legislation was passed by Congress last year to improve the educational assistance the country provides to veterans and service members. The bill improves the allowance for tuition and provides a book stipend in addition to providing a housing allowance for many recipients. The tuition benefits can also be applied to online courses. In some cases, service members may be able to transfer tuition benefits to a family member.

Saint Leo University’s administrators are eager to assist veterans ready to enroll in college when the new Post-9/11 GI Bill comes into effect August 1.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Saint Leo University announced after the May release of the Post 9/11 GI Bill application that they will be participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill designed to aid students in the over-the-top tuition expenses that are not covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s regular benefits.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill was designed so that qualifying active military, military reserve, and veterans could receive tuition assistance up to the in-state undergraduate tuition costs at the college of their choice. For universities with higher tuition costs higher than an in-state university equivalent, the Yellow Ribbon Program steps in to mitigate the extra expenses. Here’s how it works:

Since the VA opened up application for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, news on the financial aid plan being offered to veterans has been on the uprise. After the break, read about 4 highlights that have been brought up furing the first week of May.

• Transferability to Dependents
• Housing Stipends for Distance Learners
• Post 9/11 GI Bill vs Montgomery GI Bill
• GI Bill Eligibility and Tuition Rates

Air Force Students

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, or the “Yellow Ribbon Program,” is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 meant to assist with tuition costs that exceed the in-state college tuition normally provided. This provision allows colleges to enter an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help fund any cost that exceeds the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. This is especially important for private colleges that might be charging more per semester than a student’s local college campus. Colleges may contribute up to fifty percent of the additional expenses that exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill’s benefits and the VA will match the same amount, dollar-for-dollar.